Chapter Warnings: Swearing and of course, m/m relationship.

A Grand Affair

Chapter Seven: When Angels and Soldiers Rise Up

Duo leaned back into his chair, legs crossed up on the desk. His aura was power and confidence as he stared up at the projected image. His infamous cocky smile was back and his eyes glittered with mischief. Antonio Verducci was about to meet his maker.

"We currently believe him to be in London under the name Juan Rivera. Our surveillance tells us he's under heavy guard."

"You mean, heavier guard than an ordinary ambassador should have," Duo corrected, grin spreading.

Millardo nodded, catching the younger man's drift. "He's hiding from more than fatherhood."

"I couldn't give a flying fuck as to anything else," Duo remarked. "Can you give me any more specifics?"

"Sally was able to catch him entering into this townhouse," Millardo continued, pressing the button in his hand to change the slide.

Nothing escaped Duo's attention as he took in every image presented to him. He could feel age-old instincts kick in. The thrill of the hunt was on him and he was nearly itching to go after Verducci. If he closed his eyes he could feel Heero's strong arms around him, those insistent lips at his neck…

Duo blinked rapidly and dropped his feet to the ground, standing up.

"I just need you to do me one favor," Duo spoke in his signature husky, upbeat voice.

"Of course."

Duo's eyes began to sparkle. "Give me Deathscythe as my suit."

Millardo frowned. "The Gundams were strictly…"

"If Heero finds out you can tell him to just fuck me," Duo retorted, his devilish smile cutting through Millardo.

"I see your point," Millardo murmured, his face reddening. "In that case," he spoke, trying to clear his throat. "Deathscythe is yours once again."

Duo nodded his thanks as Millardo handed him the gate key that would get him past the security guarding the well-hidden Gundam suit. As he strode out of the conference room he slipped the card into his pocket and chuckled in a low, husky voice.

"It's time for Signor Verducci to meet the Angel of Death."

(O)(O)(O)

Heero set his fork down as Relena dropped a small stack of papers in front of him. He merely lifted an eyebrow at her.

"Do you know what these are?"

"Yes, the pre-nuptial agreements."

"I didn't sign these."

Heero flipped to the last page where her legal signature stamp was on it. Her eyes glared down at him and he could see her anger flaring up to dangerous levels. Her delicate hands fisted and she snatched the papers up.

Heero just stared back at her, a powerful smirk on his face. It was a grim and triumphant all at once.

"Do you know what the public would say if they found out? A pre-nuptial agreement would just prove that this relationship was because of the child and not out of love."

"This marriage will not be permanent."

"What?" Relena hissed.

Heero stood up from his breakfast and downed the rest of his juice before pushing in his seat. "In fact, I already have the divorce papers for when Antonio Verducci is found and forced to stand up to his responsibilities."

The look on Relena's face was one of horror. "No!" she wailed. "You cannot do this! I do not want him brought into this."

"You obviously had feelings for the man. What's to hide, Relena, if you care for him?" Heero demanded, turning to bear down on her.

"You of all people should understand," Relena shot back.

Heero's eyes became steel. "Yes, I've been a coward for years but thanks to you, my plans to end that have been postponed."

Relena smiled bitterly on him. "The media's going to love when that happens."

"Yes, when you were left for a man and forced to face up to a seedy ambassador as your child's father."

Any accusation left Relena and she instantly slumped. "Yes, I suppose your sexuality would just fall on the back burner."

"You made a decision and now you need to stand behind it. And I'll ask you again, why keep Verducci out of this?"

"He's not just an ambassador," Relena answered vaguely.

"Tell me something I don't know," Heero growled.

Relena glanced over her shoulder. "He's…" she sighed. "A spokesperson for a specific group of people…"

Heero remained in his overbearing position over her.

"He's in the mafia," Relena barely whispered.

Heero stepped back instantly and turned to leave. "That would be something I didn't know," he replied unsympathetically.

"You'll never find him!" Relena exclaimed. "I don't know why you think you're ever going to use those divorce papers."

Heero turned and shook his head. "But I'm not the one looking for him," he spoke gently though the tone sent a shiver down her spine.

Just then a breathless young cadet in Preventer uniform nearly skidded into the dining hall. "C-Commander Yuy," he gasped. "Security h-has just been breached; D-Deathscythe is missing, sir."

Heero held back a triumphant smile as he wanted Relena visibly pale, eyes growing wide.

"All soldiers have angels," Heero explained calmly to the cadet. "Tell your superior to ignore it."

Heero strode off leaving a very confused cadet and apprehensive ambassador.

"What?" the cadet murmured.

Relena's eyes were blurred over as she looked past the cadet and whispered in a haunted voice, "The Perfect Soldier and the Angel of Death. Those were their names when they were pilots…" she swallowed hard. "Duo Maxwell," she breathed. "I had entirely forgotten about Duo Maxwell."

In that moment Relena knew all hope was lost. Head bowed, she blindly started out for her office. She would have to start preparing herself for what would be coming very soon: worldwide humiliation. She was beginning to think she should have immediately stood up to the situation and played the victim. No, she thought with bitterness. She should have never walked into that hotel room with the Italian ambassador that night. She sighed. But his shaggy brown hair and deep blue eyes had stolen any common sense. He was everything Heero should have been…

Running a hand over her face she felt moisture on her palm when she drew it away. "I just wanted to imagine for one night that we actually loved each other. God," she cursed. "I should have known you were gay," she spoke as though to him. "There had to be something that made you untouchable. That's why they called you the Perfect Soldier, isn't it?" She opened the door to her office and collapsed in the swivel chair. When she looked at the picture of her and the five Gundam pilots she locked eyes with the bright-eyed, braided man who had his arm around the stoic looking pilot of Wing Zero. What she hadn't caught before was that if she looked close enough she could see that his arm was wrapped secretly around Duo's waist behind a smiling Quatre. She looked at the two men standing next to each other. "The only thing that could ever touch you was death," she murmured. "You said that once. I had no idea you meant him."

All along, it had been right in front of her. All the times he stole away at parties to converse with the man, the years of sharing an apartment, the frequent vacations. She had always written it off as two pilots who found comfort because of the tragic past they survived together. And perhaps it was partly for that reason, for Heero especially, but that was not the main reason. So many mental images rushed to her head, memories she had just put aside that now sounded an alarm in her head. The most recent one was just from today.

She remembered glaring at Heero as she had thrown the papers down on the table. She had looked below his eyes for a moment because something was out of place but strangely familiar. What was it? She frowned and chewed over her lip for a few moments. Idly, she looked back at her picture and at Duo. Then her eyes locked onto the cross sitting proudly over the man's red t-shirt. The cross. Heero had been wearing it this morning!

Duo had physically gotten onto the premises. How could Millardo have allowed that? Unless…

She sat up in her chair and glared out her door.

Unless Millardo was also in on this. Of course he would be. He was the only one that could have disclosed Deathscythe's whereabouts. And of course her honorable brother would want her to do what he considered right. Be honorable. No matter what the costs.

But that was just the problem. If she was going to be honorable the cost would be just that.

Her honor.

And that was something she was not going to lose or have taken away from her. Reaching over to her phone she picked it up and dialed the number without barely looking.

"Antonio," she said in a low voice. "It's me. Listen, I think they're onto you. A man named Duo Maxwell, the former Zero-two Gundam pilot is coming to find you."

"Anyone else?"

"No," she answered uncertainly. "I don't believe so," she lied.

"Thank you, my dear," the voice replied. "I'll be ready," he growled.

As Relena set the phone down she had a sick feeling in her stomach. What was she doing? This was not her! This was not the person she had wanted to be. This wasn't the way of a Peacecraft! This was not her! She lowered her face into her hands.

I'll be ready.

"What am I doing?" she whispered to herself as she began to cry. "Oh God, please forgive me…" She grimaced. He'd never forgive her. He could have for everything up until now. But this. This was it. Relena was about to have God's favorite angel killed.

Duo didn't stand a chance against Antonio Verducci. Angel of Death or not.

(O)(O)(O)

AN: Egad! What have I done? Okay, okay, I promise for a quick update if you guys let me know what you think. I completely understand your busy schedules but if this fic is worth your time to read, I would really appreciate you taking an extra second to tell me what you like and dislike. Hope to hear from all of you soon and I promise you'll be hearing from me soon as well. Until then! I would love to thank the following reviewers for their comments: iczy, Aryam, lina, Patty 40, Modified Tam, RosefaerietaleRed, Minamino, camillian, and Nikkler. Your comments inspire me to continue to post chapters and improve each time. Your support is what keeps this story alive! Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your time.